Hello my fellow bookworms, today marks the start of Nonfiction November 2019, a popular, yearly reading event, that celebrates and gets us discussing our non-fiction reading. The event is running across five weeks, with five topics, five hosts, and an Instagram photo challenge, too. For Week 1 (28th Oct. to 1st Nov.) we are being hosted by Julie @ Julz Reads and the topic is:
Your Year in Nonfiction: Take a look back at your year of nonfiction and reflect on the following questions – What was your favourite nonfiction read of the year? Do you have a particular topic you’ve been attracted to more this year? What nonfiction book have you recommended the most? What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?
What was your favourite nonfiction read of the year?
There was no competition for my favourite non-fiction of 2019, having been written by one of my favourite historians, about one of my favourite classic authors, it has to be the biography, Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley. Which I thought was a new, refreshing look into this beloved author’s life, through the places and spaces that mattered to her; and all done in Worsley’s marvellously, colourful and enthusiastic style.
Do you have a particular topic you’ve been attracted to more this year?
By numbers there is a clear favourite topic in my non-fiction reading in 2019 and that is Faith/Christianity, as I have read an impressive five Christian non-fictions/memoirs through the year. This has been encouraged and supported by my church’s book club, which four of the books was for and the other was a recommendation for.
- The Story of Reality by Gregory Koukl **
- The Death of Western Christianity by Patrick Sookhdeo **
- Love Wins by Rob Bell **
- Undivided by Vicky Beeching **
- Searching For Sunday by Rachel Held Evans ***
What nonfiction book have you recommended the most?
Although not the best non-fictions I have ever read, the books I keep finding myself recommending are Mark Black’s Very Short History series, because these clear, fast-paced and concise histories, are a great way for a beginner to a subject to learn quickly the main events and essential facts. Last year, I read all the instalments on American politicians, while this year, I have only read the D-Day instalment, so far. However being so short I could easily squeeze some more in before the end of the year.
What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?
By participating this year, I am hoping to put more of a spotlight on my non-fiction reading, as it is often overshadowed by my larger amount of fiction reading. And I am hoping to get some more inspiration and recommendations, as unconsciously my non-fiction reading has dropped this year. While my Christian non-fiction reading is going strong, my history non-fiction has dropped dramatically.
Now over to you: What has been your favourite non-fiction reads this year? Do you have any favourite topics? And if you are take part in Nonfiction November 2019 too, please link in your post in the comments, so I can come check it out.
I hope you’re able to find some great histories to read through this event! The Very Short History series sounds like the perfect recommendation. Since they’re not too long, it seems like even someone who doesn’t typically like nonfiction might be persuaded to give them a try 🙂
Thank you very much Dewey 🙂
I’m very bad – I haven’t read any non-fiction this year. I should really make an effort.
Lynn 😀
Aw bless you, Lynn, however you do read a whole lot more books generally than me! 😛
I just realised I don’t really know anything about Jane Austen’s real life, and probably should
Please stop by to see my Introduction to NonFicNov
Hello Shelleyrae, thank you for stopping by and commenting. Always lovely to hear from a new face. 🙂 I have to admit I knew little to nothing about Jane Austen’s real life before reading this. I highly recommend reading Jane Austen At Home to find out more.
I have heard lots of wonderful things about Jane Austen at Home. I hope you have a lovely November and achieve all that you hope to from taking part in Nonfiction November. Happy reading!
Hello Jade, thank you for stopping by and commenting. It is always nice to hear from a new face. 🙂 And thank you, I hope you enjoy Nonfiction November too and happy reading! 😀
I am intrigued by a few you listed – thanks for your post. I always learn so much this month!
Hello Jaymi, thank you for stopping by and commenting, and I am so pleased my post got you intrigued about a few new books for you. Happy non-fiction reading! 😀
Jane Austen At Home sounds wonderful. The Mark Black series is new to me… I’m going to explore the topics he covers. Thanks for the suggestion!
JoAnn, I really loved Jane Austen At Home and I hope there are some of Mark Black’s short history series that appeal to you. 🙂
When I read nonfiction I tend to read big fat books and take them in small doses of 5 or 10 pages a day. But two of my favorites were a bit shorter. All You Need Is Love was a history of the early years of the Peace Corps. I learned so much including the fact that Great Britain also had a version! My review: https://keepthewisdom.blogspot.com/2019/07/all-you-need-is-love-peace-corps-and.html. The other was Sisters In Law about the first two female justices of the US Supreme Court. My review: https://keepthewisdom.blogspot.com/2019/06/sisters-in-law.html
Judy, I like to dip in and out of big chunky non-fictions in small doses too. And wow All You Need Is Love and Sisters In Law both sound like weighty tomes, perhaps not subjects I would go for, but interesting and pleased you learnt a lot. 🙂
Jane Austen at Home sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
Hello Erin, thank you for stopping by and commenting. 🙂 And you’re very welcome, Jane Austen at Home was so wonderful I couldn’t not share it! 😀
I’ve only read Searching for Sunday by RHE (as Monika and others abbreviate her), but enjoyed it.
I have a lot of books on race in my TBR, but mostly I read biographies and memoirs. I’m also participating in the November Nonfiction event: https://stillanunfinishedperson.blog/2019/10/28/nonfiction-november-a-look-back-at-my-year-in-nonfiction/
Hello Bryan, thank you for stopping by and commenting. 🙂 I am pleased you enjoyed Evan’s Searching For Sunday – I have only read this by Rachel Held Evans too, but I would definitely like to read more. And thank you for linking in your Nonfiction November post.
I’m very interested in reading Searching for Sunday now. I’m fascinated with stories of people struggling with faith. Thank you for sharing this.
You’re very welcome Deb – I really hope you enjoy Searching For Sunday as much as I did. 🙂
I love discovering all these memes and challenges. I clearly have a lot to learn about how the book blog and Booktube community work. I need to improve on my nonfiction reading. One of the downsides of being reliant on audiobooks for the bulk of my reading is that nonfiction is much less widely produced than fiction, so is less accessible. I’m especially interested in reading about faith, feminism and literary criticism, but it is quite difficult to get hold of the books I want.
This is an book blog event that I have only recently started joining in with, Alyson. I’m sorry to heat it is quite hard for you to get your hands on non-fiction audiobooks – I hope this improves for you so you can improve your non-fiction reading about faith, feminism and literary criticism. 🙂
I’ve had a lazy year non-fictionally this year. Not so much heavy history and a lot of true crime instead. There are a few highlights, but I think Furious Hours by Casey Cep would win, because it not only tells the story of a true crime but also of Harper Lee’s attempt to write her own true crime book.
FF, it is good to hear I am not the only one whose non-fiction reading has slipped by the wayside a little. I do remember you reading some real chunky history books last year. A bit a true crime this time of year does sound like a good idea though and with a link to Harper Lee too. 🙂
Hello fellow Christian. Nice list! I have also read a lot of (Eastern Orthodox) Christian books: https://wordsandpeace.com/2019/10/28/nonfiction-november-my-year-2019-in-nonfiction/
Hello Emma, thank you for stopping by and commenting. Always lovely to hear from another Christian. 🙂 I look forward to checking out what Christian non-fictions you have been reading this year.
I’m taking part in this too and, like you, I feel that my non-fiction reading is usually overshadowed by the fiction, so I’m hoping to find lots of recommendations and inspiration this month. I will have to try some of the Mark Black history books – they sound like the perfect way to introduce yourself to a new topic.
Helen, I hope we are both able to pick up some good recommendations and inspiration taking part in this event. 🙂
This is a challenge I don’t remember seeing before, but it sounds fun! I think I’ll just follow along with your posts this year, then maybe give it a shot next year myself. As for your questions, I try to read at least one non-fiction each month and, like you, the majority are probably Faith/Christianity – but I also like History and Science. I’m not sure I could pick a favorite, but I did enjoy The Butchering Art by Lindsey Fitzharris quite a bit as well as The Liturgy of the Ordinary by Trish Harrison Warren. Or maybe The Reason for God by Timothy Keller. Obviously I can’t decide! 😆
Kelly, I hope you enjoy following my posts this year and it would be great to have you join us next year. 😀 It is also great to hear you have been reading such good quality non-fiction this year that it is so hard to pick a favourite. I used to read one non-fiction a month and I really need to get back into this!
It looks like we have the same taste in Christian nonfiction. 😊 I love anything by RHE (miss her so much) and recently read Rob Bell for the first time. I’m going to add the others you mention to my TBR!
Hello Monika, thank you for stopping by and commenting. 🙂 And how wonderful that we have the same taste in Christian non-fiction. This was my first read by Rachel Evans Held but I would love to read more of her books. I hope you enjoy the books you have added to your TBR as much as I did.